Core Viewpoint - The event "Cultural Exchange of Culinary Arts" held in Liège, Belgium, marks a significant step for Quanzhou as it aims to become a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy by 2025, showcasing its rich culinary heritage and modern food industry to Europe [1][2]. Group 1: Event Overview - The event was co-hosted by the Quanzhou Food Industry Promotion Association and the Belgium International Chinese Restaurant Association, attended by over 70 political and business figures from China and Belgium [1]. - The event featured traditional Quanzhou snacks and non-heritage culinary skills, creating an immersive experience for attendees [1]. Group 2: Cultural Significance - Quanzhou, as a key port of the Maritime Silk Road, has a long history of cultural exchange, blending Central Plains culture, maritime culture, and overseas Chinese culture, which has shaped its unique culinary style [1]. - The event is part of Quanzhou's ongoing efforts to promote its culinary culture globally, leveraging its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site [1]. Group 3: Statements from Officials - Chen Rixing, Vice President of the Quanzhou Food Industry Promotion Association, highlighted the 39th anniversary of the friendship between Fujian Province and Liège Province, emphasizing the potential for deeper cooperation in culinary culture and industry development [2]. - Willy Borsus, President of the Walloon Parliament, expressed the appreciation for Chinese culinary culture in Belgium and the desire to strengthen cultural and innovative exchanges [4]. Group 4: Industry Collaboration - During the event, representatives from Quanzhou's culinary sector engaged in discussions with Belgian food suppliers and restaurant associations on topics such as ingredient standards, culinary skill exchange, and brand internationalization [4]. - The event aims to create new opportunities for Quanzhou's culinary industry to integrate into the international market and expand global cooperation [4]. Group 5: Cultural Impact - The Quanzhou culinary tour not only allows European audiences to experience the unique flavors of the Maritime Silk City but also injects new cultural momentum into China-Europe local cooperation [5].

Core Insights - The article discusses the historical evolution of Chinese commercial networks and the emergence of various merchant groups, tracing their roots back to the "Kaizhong Law" which established a national trade network [1][2][4] - It highlights the transformation of the Chinese economy from a feudal system to a more market-oriented one, emphasizing the role of merchant groups like Jin merchants, Hui merchants, and Zhejiang merchants in this process [5][6][17] Group 1: Historical Context - The "Kaizhong Law" initiated a national trade network that allowed merchants from regions like Shanxi and Shaanxi to thrive by facilitating efficient capital accumulation through grain and salt trade [4][7] - The Ming Dynasty's policies, particularly under Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, aimed to suppress commerce but inadvertently laid the groundwork for a commercial revival in the Ming and Qing dynasties [2][5] Group 2: Merchant Groups and Their Evolution - The rise of merchant groups such as Jin merchants was facilitated by their proximity to key resources like salt and grain, allowing for rapid capital turnover and accumulation [4][6] - The article details how these merchant groups evolved from "border merchants" to "internal merchants," focusing on local trade and capital efficiency [6][12] Group 3: Economic Structures and Market Control - The Ming government implemented systems like "talao" (official inns) and "guanya" (official trading intermediaries) to control the market and ensure that trade networks served state interests [8][9][10] - The decline of state-controlled trading systems led to the rise of private "Xie Jia" (rest stops) that provided integrated services for merchants, enhancing trade efficiency and reducing transaction costs [13][14][15] Group 4: Impact on Modern Economy - The article concludes that the development of a unified domestic market in the Ming Dynasty was a significant achievement, yet questions why this did not evolve into modern capitalism as seen in the West [17][18]